The Cross River Gorilla is Africa’s most endangered primate and one of the world’s 25 most endangered primate species. There are currently just 250-300 individuals still present in the wild.

The Artists For Conservation Flag Expedition** we undertook to the highland rainforests of south west Cameroon, in November 2007, has been an amazing experience. It’s a true circle of life. Only by supporting the local people we can save the Cross River gorillas. ... not many know of their existence let alone their nearby extinction ...

The elusive Cross River Gorillas are hard to spot because they are shy inhabitants of densely vegetated highland rainforests. But then there is beautiful 'Nyango' as an ambassador of her species living in Limbe Wildlife Center, a primate rescue and rehabilitation facility.

"For myself, as an artist, to be able to study and sketch her in these local settings was awe-inspiring. She truly is what her name Nyango implies, a ‘Lady’ or 'Queen', well deserving this first ever portrait painting of her species." ~ Daniel Taylor

Often Nyango is spotted sitting on a tree branch, staring at the mountains in the distance, as though yearning for a life and home not so far away.  The call of the jungle?

Half of the funds raised through the Cross River Gorilla painting will go to Limbe Wildlife Centre for great ape rescue and rehabilitation. The other half will be used for field projects in South West Cameroon, including protection of their habitat and human-primate conflict mitigation, training of local wildlife rangers, as well as community development and education.

 

**The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists For Conservation Foundationâ„¢ (AFC), making possible the artistic field study and rendering of species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. There is a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world.